Disclosure and Discretion in Roman Astrology

Manilius and his Augustan Contemporaries

Steven J. Green

Presents a holistic look at the Augustan period, incorporating both familiar and obscure Roman authors to construct a picture of literary astrological activity

Provides English translations for key texts and brief biographical material

Discusses the historical development of Roman astrology, enabling readers to locate the views of contemporary writers within the appropriate socio-political context

Disclosure and Discretion in Roman Astrology

Manilius and his Augustan Contemporaries

Steven J. Green

Description

In light of modern scepticism towards the practice, it is easy to overlook just how important a role astrology played in the career of Rome's first Emperor, Augustus. Augustus' enthusiasm for employing astrological predictions and symbols to cement his own position of power was matched by an equally forceful desire to restrict their use by his political rivals. Astrology in Rome was, then, to use Tacitus' neat formulation, both "forbidden and maintained" (Tacitus, Histories, 1.22).

This volume is the first to take seriously this imperial complex as a key to understanding the diverse ways in which contemporary commentators handle the volatile topic of astrology in their writings. It shows how Roman writers engage in elaborate discourses of discretion as they simultaneously celebrate the power of astrology and shy away from the sort of astrological revelations that might offend imperial sensibilities. With a particular focus on the key astrological poem of Manilius, this study provides a new conceptual framework in which to appreciate the complex treatments of astrology during the period of Octavian/Augustus.

Disclosure and Discretion in Roman Astrology

Manilius and his Augustan Contemporaries

Steven J. Green

Table of Contents

I. IntroductionII. Manilius' Astronomica: A Lesson in Horoscopic ObscurityIII. The Rise of Roman Astrology and Caesar's CometIII.a. The Rise of Astrology in RomeIII.b. The Beginning and End of the Late-Republican Astrological Debate: The Politicized Philosophical Posturings of CiceroIV. Astrology for the Augustan AgeIV.a. To Have and to Hold: Astrology for an Imperial AgeIV.b. Setting Gentlemanly Limits for Imperial Stellar Investigation in Vitruvius' De ArchitecturaIV.c. Concession, Abstinence and Abortion: Horace, Virgil, Hyginus, and OvidIV.d. Stars and Storms: The Development of Stellar Causation in AstrometeorologyIV.e. Caesar's Comet: The Reinvigoration of a Religious EnquiryIV.f. Turning on the Practitioner: Propertius Meets the CharlatanV. Conclusion: Manilian Dialogues and the Relaxing of Astrological Discretion

Disclosure and Discretion in Roman Astrology

Manilius and his Augustan Contemporaries

Steven J. Green

Author Information

Steven J. Green is currently Honorary Research Fellow at University College London. He specializes in Roman literature and culture in first centuries BC and AD, with particular attention to the Augustan and Neronian periods. He is author of Ovid, Fasti 1: A Commentary (2004) and co-editor of The Art of Love: Bimillennial Essays on Ovid's Ars Amatoria and Remedia Amoris (OUP 2007) and Forgotten Stars: Rediscovering Manilius' Astronomica (OUP 2011), and has written several articles focused around Roman poetry (especially Ovid) and the interaction between Roman literature and religious experience.